A Planet In Space - As The Pieces Come Together (EP) written by Alastair Reed - Publisher The Dwarf

Published January 28, 2009

Simple rules for life. (1) If you are wearing an Atari t-shirt and you have never played River Raid- Take it off. (2) If you are wearing a Star Wars t-shirt and you don’t know the two planets that featured Imperial Walkers- Take it off. (3) If you are wearing a Che Guevera t-shirt and you don’t know who he was- Take it off. (4) If you are a band featuring two vocalists and you don’t do ANY call-and-response on your new EP- Have a good hard look at yourself! And thereby begins and ends my criticism of the stellar debut EP by Melbourne’s A Planet in Space. It is absolutely fantastic. Featuring two drummers and two vocalists/guitarists, this band is anything but orthodox. And neither is their EP As The Pieces Come Together. Now the temptation to use the term ‘genre-defying’ is extremely strong at this point, but I will resist. I will say, however, that this EP seamlessly flows from roots to metal and everything in between in a complete defiance of genre. Damn.

Some of you, who have had the misfortune of reading some of my previous work will remember that I can’t stand roots music. Primarily this is because it is rubbish. So when I say that I think this album and it is ‘rootsy’ is saying a lot for the sheer diversity in this bands delivery. Each song is like a little musical degustation menu, offering little slices of feel that blend perfectly together. Adding to this is the rhythm provided up the dual drummers. Many other bands have favoured this set-up but in many cases it provides nothing apart from novelty. I would put Wolf & Cub firmly in this category. However, here their interplay produces a driving polyrhythm in sections that lifts the music well above a run-of-the-mill sound that could begin to share far too much with the rash-inducing likes of Live or the Counting Crows. Add to this the different complexions provided by the two singers and you have a fascinating, compelling sound. The highlight of the album is the mini-rock opera that closes the album. A musical triptych that begins with a slow burning soul number and eventually progresses to a metal workout in the third part of the suite, via an electronic bridge section!

Tracks can be heard and bought through their slick website (www.aplanetinspace.com), along with some cracking live performances.

Despite the criminal lack of call-and-response, I have this one on high rotation. Ridiculously highly recommended.

4.5 well-groomed goatees out of 5.

Read the article on the publishers site A Planet In Space - As The Pieces Come Together (EP)

A Planet in Space – As The Pieces Come Together written by Al - Publisher Als Rant

Published February 1, 2009

A Planet in Space create exactly the kind of genre-hopping mash-up that is the scourge of pigeon-holing music journalists and narrow-minded enthusiasts of dispensable pop; and it is precisely this mix of styles and genres that makes them sound so new and thrilling.

Their debut EP, As The Pieces Come Together, attempts to capture their unique brand of fusion. Harnessed from two robust years on the live circuit since their inception, it demonstrates both their unorthodox line-up (two drummers, two singer/guitarists) and a variety of songs that demonstrate that a witches’ brew of styles can encapsulate a wider audience. Granted these are heady concoctions - not for the faint of heart or small of attention span – but all the more rewarding for those that take the trip.

First up is the roots-rock of Last Drop of Denial, propelled by a sinister funk groove it’s slinky, threatening and danceable all at once. As the distorted guitars and drums pick up the pace against Dan Fox Smith’s insistent vocals, it seems the track threatens to transform into something else before it ends abruptly. There’s plenty of time for exploration later it seems. Solo Tango is a reworking of older single She Don’t Wanna Dance, a popular favourite live; it retains its Spanish guitar meets Latin funk backbone but has been edited down from its original length. The lyrics, about losing out to an enticing female, play the vocal lament of Alex Hayes off of Fox Smith’s near-rapping lines to create an intoxicating energy. At times it sounds like a much busier Cat Empire sans the syrupy horns, but the track’s almost begging for them.

Sunshine Breaking Through is perhaps the most stable track of the EP, which isn’t to say that its six minutes doesn’t contain a wealth of guitar acrobatics and vocal interplay. Besides, it’s opening lyrics act like a band manifesto “The time has come to make a decision/and this music is our one mechanism/to set ourself free from this here prison/in order for us to fly;” and with the closing title track, the three-part As The Pieces Come Together, fly they do.

Starting with a simple drum beat and chopped guitar chords, it seems innocuous enough but as one soon comes to expect from A Planet In Space, the territory will soon shift. Working its way from a rock/reggae hybrid with soulful vocals through to a complete drum-and-bass electronica breakdown; leading finally to a heavy metal coda, it is the undisputed highlight of this release. Its evolution is reminiscent of progressive rock even if it borders on indulgence. It has to be heard to be believed and hints at the exciting things the group could do with the canvas of a full album.

Still, recorded at their own studio (PlantOn) and released on their own label (Melodious Thump), As The Pieces Come Together is a worthy product of their ambitions.

Make no mistake A Planet In Space won’t be for everyone, at worst it can feel like the improvisation and jamming that spawned the bedrock for these songs is merely to show off their musicianship. Their inimitable sound however, is exactly the kind of thing that encourages a hardcore fan base. And as they embark on a tour of the East Coast in support of their EP, they’re sure to pick up more than a few.

Read the article on the publishers site A Planet in Space – As The Pieces Come Together